The Bend Planning Commission is making strides to combat the housing crisis

BEND, Ore. {KTVZ} -- In the latest Bend Planning Commission meeting on Monday, the Commission reviewed a number of projects; from tariffs to blight.

But what exactly is blight?

According to the City of Bend, blight areas may be deemed unsafe structures, stagnant or unproductive land, or in need of infrastructure.

There are three specific areas on the West Side of Bend, categorized as blight.

Several are parcels off SW Mount Bachelor Drive.

Urban Renewal Manager Jonathan Taylor spoke about what it all means.

“In the state of Oregon, as well as in our region, anything that's not meeting its highest and best use is considered Blight. So, these parcels have remained vacant for over 10 years, have not contributed to the overall tax benefit, that is their fair share for the area, so we're hoping that this investment will help bring these parcels that have remained vacant for a period of 20 years or more, into their appropriate development standards.”

Taylor also said: “Also provide affordability for our residents, both new and current, while also providing just general housing that we desperately need in the City of Bend.”

The City plans to develop this land into four separate apartment complexes known as: Century, Britta Ridge, and Project Veridian.

Funding for apartments are based on the TIF (tax-increment financing) mechanism, which provides financing for Urban Renewal areas.

Taylor says these projects will have public and City Council reviews before they are ok'd.

When will these apartment complexes be ready for rent?

The Urban Renewal Manager says by 2028.